SMART: Smart and Simple Asthma Care!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:22 — 3.3MB)
* SMART means:
..simple ..control & ..rescue!
SMART therapy stands for Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy. At Asthmaniac, we the words “maintenance” and “controller” mean the same thing. Likewise, “reliever” and “rescue” are interchangeable.
SMART therapy is for patients with moderate to severe asthma who need a combination treatment. This combined treatment consists of an inhaled corticosteroid (controller ) and an inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) (bronchodilator). The SMART therapy program simplifies things by having patients to use one inhaler for both! The maintenance dose can be adjusted based on the needs of the individual, but it is typically at least two doses a day (either two at once or one dose twice a day).
What medicines are in SMART therapy?
SMART therapy is a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and an inhaled LABA. Currently, this combination is available in two medications:
- budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®)
- mometasone/formoterol (Dulera®)
In asthma guidelines for SMART therapy, the budesonide/formoterol combination is the recommended first treatment for moderate to severe asthma.
How does SMART therapy work?
SMART therapy allows people with asthma to use just one medication to control asthma symptoms. They use this single medication for both control and rescue therapy.
Typical rescue inhalers contain only a bronchodilator. Controller medications often include an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid. But with SMART therapy, the inhaler has both an anti-inflammatory inhaled corticosteroid and a LABA. This is helpful as it means people are getting daily medicine to keep their airways open. And when they are experiencing symptoms, they are getting extra anti-inflammatories. This helps to reduce airway inflammation.
Who can receive SMART therapy?
Under asthma guidelines, SMART therapy is recommended for people with moderate to severe asthma, including children ages 5 and older. In general, SMART therapy is considered an easier treatment plan to follow. A SMART therapy plan can also be used as an as-needed treatment for mild asthma. Formoterol is a long-acting inhaled medication but it works quickly, similar to quick-relief albuterol. .
What is moderate to severe persistent asthma?
People with moderate asthma have daily symptoms or wake up at night due to symptoms at least once a week.
People with severe asthma have symptoms throughout the day despite following their treatment plan. They also report waking up at night with symptoms, even after taking treatment. Learn more about understanding asthma severity.
How will I know if SMART therapy is right for me or my child?
To determine if SMART therapy is right for you or your child, consider Shared Decision-Making. In Shared Decision-Making, you and I decide the right treatment approach fo you. The best is based on your asthma control, lifestyle and other healthcare needs and preferences. Then you and I work together to develop an Asthma Action Plan so you know what to do for treatment when symptoms occur.
Ready for a SMART plan?
#asthmacontrolnow
#telemedicineasthmacare
#backpocketasthmadoc
#asthmaactionplan
#asthmacontroltest
#asthmacontroller
#rescueinhaler
#asthmacovid19
#childrenandasthma
#eprescription
#easthma
#peakexpiratoryflow
#peakflowmeter
#asthmaniac
All Posts
- SMART: The Best Strategy for Control and Rescue!
- Air Quality Matters!
- Aligning Medication with Asthma Subtype
- Navigating Asthmaniac.com!
- Asthma and COVID19
- Do You Need an Asthma Controller Medication?
- Steroids in Asthma: Why We Need Them?
- Children and Asthma: Different from Adult Asthma?
- Asthma Action Plan: Personalized Just For You!
- Phone Doctor Visits: They Work For Asthma Control!
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate: How We Measure and Why?
- Asthma Control Test Score: How We Use It
- Asthma Follow Up Care: Why You Need It!
- High-Deductible Health Plan? Online Asthma Is Perfect!
- No Insurance? Asthmaniac Will Help You!
- Is Your Asthma e-Asthma? New Medicine!
- What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?
- PM2.5 and Asthma
- NEVER run Out of Asthma Inhaler Medicine!
- Do You Need an Affordable Doctor?
Climate Change: How It Can Affect People with Allergies and Asthma
According to the World Health Organization, climate change is one of the biggest global health threats of this century. Many people don't realize that climate change can also affect those with allergies and asthma. Rising temperatures, increased air pollution, and...
How to Manage Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps can be irritating and painful – but what are they and how can you treat them? Here’s a look at what causes polyps in the nasal passages and how you can manage the symptoms in the long term. What Are Nasal Polyps? Nasal polyps are painless,...
6 Signs Your Asthma Is Getting Worse
If you have asthma, you are familar with coughing and wheezing. And if you have severe asthma, you may experience breathing difficulties more often than sufferers with a milder condition. You have learned that your body will give you signs if your asthma...
What Is Exercise Induced Asthma?
Do you have breathing difficulties when you exercise? Then you may have something called “exercise induced asthma”. Let's take a look at what causes this condition and what treatment options are available. What Is Exercise Induced Asthma? Exercise...
Asthma House Cleaning Tips
Keeping a clean and dust-free home is crucial for individuals with asthma, as it helps reduce the risk of triggering asthma symptoms. But deep cleaning a house with asthma can be hard–even light cleaning of a house with asthma can be hard if the conditions are wrong....
Can Asthma Be Cured Permanently?
Asthma affects nearly 25 million Americans. It’s one of our most common health conditions and it can be very difficult to live with. But is there such a thing as an asthma cure? Below, we consider the different treatments for asthma and how sufferers might prevent...
